Semicolon in Morse code
The semicolon (;) is dash dot dash dot dash dot in Morse code, said “dah-di-dah-di-dah-dit”. It sounds like the letters KR sent without gaps, and lasts 17 units, which is 1020 ms at 20 WPM.
Hear the semicolon
At 15 WPM, ; takes 1360 ms to send. Flash or vibrate it in the translator
Not part of the ITU standard
The semicolon is not in ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard. Charts and software use -.-.-., but not every operator will recognise it, so spell it out when it matters.
The semicolon on a timing ruler
Characters that sound like the semicolon
These are the characters most often copied by mistake for the semicolon, and why.
Can you hear the difference?
Listen, then pick the one you heard.
At a glance
- Morse code
- -.-.-.
- Sounds like
- dah-di-dah-di-dah-dit
- Letters run together
- KR
- Length
- 17 units
- ITU standard
- No
Sources: ITU-R M.1677-1, the International Morse code standard (International Telecommunication Union, 2009). Symbols outside the standard follow common practice in charts and software.